Explore records, photographs, and stories from the people and places that shaped our community.
Search Our DatabaseWelcome to the Benton County Historical Society & Museum
Preserving the stories, artifacts, and heritage of Benton County, Minnesota since 1949.
📅 Today in History
United States
• 1844 Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) founded in London
• 1933 The first drive-in theatre opens (Camden NJ) (where are they now?)
Minnesota
• The giant beaver became Minnesota’s state fossil in 2025.
• Coniferous forest shapes much of northern Minnesota.
Benton County
• The Horner Collection, acquired in 2008, added about 60,000 pieces to the Benton County Historical Society’s holdings.
• William A. Aitkin served as chairman of Benton County’s first board of commissioners.